Hawai'i's Rapidly Sinking Suburbs: An Urgent Flood Risk

**New research from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa** reveals that **some areas of Hawai‘i are sinking faster** than anticipated, accelerating the onset of flooding risks as sea levels rise. Coastal areas are particularly at risk, with parts of O‘ahu sinking up to **40 times faster** than the general island rate of 0.6 millimeters per year. This unexpected rate of subsidence was discovered through **two decades of satellite radar data** and a **high-resolution digital elevation model**, leading to models of future flood scenarios. The study highlights that **urban areas developed on sediments or artificial fills** are more prone to subsidence, intensifying flood risks compared to the **long-term sea level rise rate** of 1.54 millimeters per year in Hawai‘i. **Phil Thompson** notes that this could result in a **50% increase in flood exposure area by 2050** in places like the Mapunapuna industrial region. The research stresses the need for **urgent urban planning** and **coastal adaptation strategies** to mitigate potential damages, urging stakeholders to integrate subsidence data into **infrastructure resilience** and **flood preparedness** strategies.